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Hermiston Today
By the People, for the People
Oregon FFA Faces Funding Cuts, Threatening Student Opportunities
State budget reductions could eliminate three-quarters of the organization's revenue, limiting access to career development programs.
Published on Feb. 10, 2026
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Oregon's FFA organization, which has cultivated the next generation of agricultural and community leaders for nearly a century, is facing up to $1.1 million in state budget cuts - nearly three-quarters of its 2024 revenue. This funding reduction could force hundreds of students across the state, including in Hermiston, to lose access to FFA programs that boost high school graduation rates and provide valuable career skills.
Why it matters
FFA has been instrumental in supporting Oregon's agricultural economy and workforce, with the organization's career and technical education programs leading to significantly higher graduation rates compared to the state average. Cutting this funding could limit opportunities for students, especially in rural communities, to gain the leadership, teamwork, and professional skills that make FFA participants attractive hires for local employers.
The details
The Oregon legislature re-established state funding for FFA in 2019, which helped triple enrollment in Hermiston from 220 to 600 students by making membership more accessible for low-income families. FFA offers 29 different leadership and career development events each year, many of them team-based to foster communication and cooperation. Employers in the community actively seek out FFA participants for their professionalism, confidence, and interpersonal skills.
- In 2023-24, Oregon's overall high school graduation rate was 81.3%.
- For CTE participants, the graduation rate jumped to 90.3%.
- For CTE concentrators, the graduation rate was 97.7%.
The players
Oregon FFA
A nearly century-old organization that cultivates the next generation of agricultural and community leaders in Oregon, offering career development programs and leadership opportunities for high school students.
Oregon Legislature
The state government body that re-established funding for Oregon FFA in 2019, recognizing the organization's essential role in sustaining career and technical education and the agricultural workforce.
Hermiston FFA
The local FFA chapter in Hermiston, Oregon, which saw its enrollment nearly triple from 220 to 600 students after the 2019 state funding increase made membership more accessible.
What’s next
The Oregon Legislature will decide whether to maintain or reduce funding for Oregon FFA as part of the state's upcoming budget process.
The takeaway
Cutting funding for Oregon FFA would limit access to valuable career development programs that boost high school graduation rates and produce skilled, professional graduates - an outcome that could have lasting consequences for Oregon's workforce, communities, and agricultural economy.
